Strong friendships with/for snowbirds or people who split their time in TV?

[Tustin714]

We're working towards the "big move" but my wife (who's lived where we are her entire 60+ years and has her mother here) wants to consider doing a split between here and TV.

For those who live here year-round, do you actually make strong friendships with people who aren't around for a good part of the year? And for for snowbirds, how has your experience been trying to make friendships?

Thanks.

[tophcfa]

We're working towards the "big move" but my wife (who's lived where we are her entire 60+ years and has her mother here) wants to consider doing a split between here and TV.

For those who live here year-round, do you actually make strong friendships with people who aren't around for a good part of the year? And for for snowbirds, how has your experience been trying to make friendships?

Thanks.

We are part timers, and although it’s a good problem to have, we have more people that want to do stuff with us than we have free time.

[rustyp]

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Kind of fun when our neighbors at both ends throw welcome back parties for us.

Also if you are from the north and have no experience with Florida summer heat and humidity you need to do some time here in summer before making the decision to sell up north.

Another experience (maybe unique to myself) is I do not want to stay in anybody's house but my own - alone. If you have family up north especially an elderly parent you most likely will be spending some extended stays. Consider that before selling house #1.

On the flip side does it cost more to own two homes - yes - a bucket load more. If you can't afford it it will be a nightmare.

[LuvNH]

[QUOTE=Tustin714;2207322]We're working towards the "big move" but my wife (who's lived where we are her entire 60+ years and has her mother here) wants to consider doing a split between here and TV.

For those who live here year-round, do you actually make strong friendships with people who aren't around for a good part of the year? And for for snowbirds, how has your experience been trying to make friendships?


Thanks.[/QUOTE

It is just MY opinion, and we all know what an opinion is worth :oops: l think you are expecting an awful lot from her. To have lived a 60+ life in one area, add to that leaving her Mother, very difficult. You could end up with a house of cards that just collapses altogether. If you can afford it, do six and six and see how that works. From my perspective, there is no friendship which could replace the love and connection I have with my Sister, or for that matter, my children.

[coralway]

There’s probably a couple of dozen snowbird topic posting here. Search and read them all. It’s not all lovey dovey

[asianthree]

For those who post and don’t own more than one home, try to just ignore their lack of experience on how happy or unhappy many of us should be.

We started coming to TV in 07, and bought first vaca home in 2010. We snowbird until 2016, when one half retired, while I continue to work. We are on our fourth home in TV, and have maintained friends from each village that we lived at. To the point that sometimes we couldn’t get all the gatherings, parties, and golf to fit in when I came in for 6 weeks at a time, 4 times a year. We have only lost touch with a few, because they either moved from TV, or health became a factor

This will be the first year we will only have the lake house, and the family home up north. We will continue to spend long summers and early fall north. Our friend are dwindling up north, because when they visited TV, they bought and moved here.

[dnobles]

We’ve been great friends with a Canadian couple for 10 years. In addition to only being here in the winter, they weren’t here for almost 3 years. 2 because of COVID and one because of illness. Love them dearly.

[Tustin714]

These have all been great responses, and thanks. We have spent some time in Florida (Orlando area) during the depth of summer, and the heat/humidity didn't bother us (same for July in Nashville -- perhaps we're genetically immune :-).

As for "asking a lot" of my wife, she's very torn about having seen it all here and wanting some new experiences, while also being able to return rather easily if something comes up with her mom (and her brother and uncle on mother's side are here as well).

Anyway, this has been very helpful, knowing that if we split our time it won't be starting over when we return.

Thanks.

[Garywt]

We are not here much but we have nice neighbors on each side that we have had over for dinner and they have had us over. Plus we have friends from our home town that moved here before we bought. Also my wife’s cousins bought a place last year so when we are here for a week we are nonstop.

[seecapecod]

We're working towards the "big move" but my wife (who's lived where we are her entire 60+ years and has her mother here) wants to consider doing a split between here and TV.

For those who live here year-round, do you actually make strong friendships with people who aren't around for a good part of the year? And for for snowbirds, how has your experience been trying to make friendships?

Thanks.

Yes! But we are the “birds” spending time between our home on Cape Cod in the summer and TV- we have many amazing friends on our street- a typical weeknight or weekend night we have 6-8 couple for dinner and game night! I’m still working and my husband is retired

[Villagesgal]

We were full timers for 15 years, now are snowbirds since we now have grand children. Own both homes free and clear so not that more additional expense. We have found friends here slip away since we're not here year round anymore, but reconnected with friends up north so it's really a trade off. We're glad we did it. We now have the best of both worlds.
Go with your gut feeling and not what any of us say since each situation is unique. Good wishes in whatever you choose. At this point in our lives we all deserve to be happy.

[GizmoWhiskers]

For those who post and don’t own more than one home, try to just ignore their lack of experience on how happy or unhappy many of us should be.

We started coming to TV in 07, and bought first vaca home in 2010. We snowbird until 2016, when one half retired, while I continue to work. We are on our fourth home in TV, and have maintained friends from each village that we lived at. To the point that sometimes we couldn’t get all the gatherings, parties, and golf to fit in when I came in for 6 weeks at a time, 4 times a year. We have only lost touch with a few, because they either moved from TV, or health became a factor

This will be the first year we will only have the lake house, and the family home up north. We will continue to spend long summers and early fall north. Our friend are dwindling up north, because when they visited TV, they bought and moved here.
"For those who post and don’t own more than one home, try to just ignore their lack of experience on how happy or unhappy many of us should be."

This is an interesting response as to the OP's ??. Seems one must check some type of box prior to input; own two homes to know about building relationships with others and what it's like to leave your mother and hometown of 60 years.

Guess many are disqualified to respond so should be a short thread.

Perhaps it counts if between siblings and parents a poster has 3 houses in T V and one elsewhere?

Stay close to mom. It is time you can't get back.

As for building relationships, pick those that are more friendly than the posters on TOTV and you will be all set.

You get out what you put in to all relationships. Some neighbors you really miss when they are gone and others you don't even notice they've left.

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS. Maybe mom can come to T V also?

[MandoMan]

We're working towards the "big move" but my wife (who's lived where we are her entire 60+ years and has her mother here) wants to consider doing a split between here and TV.

For those who live here year-round, do you actually make strong friendships with people who aren't around for a good part of the year? And for for snowbirds, how has your experience been trying to make friendships?

Thanks.

I’m a frog—here ‘til I croak. I don’t make strong friends easily. However, there are several snowbird couples I’ve had fun with who I’ll be happy to see again next winter. I play in a lot of bluegrass and country jams, and now that the snowbirds have left, our jams are a third smaller. It will be nice to have them back, too.

[Mumsie]

We’ve made great friends both here where we live eight months of the year and “up north” where we spend our summers. Actually, it’s never too late to meet new folks. We did just that last summer when we decided to join a few golf leagues, and now, between playing golf three days a week and mahjongg twice a week, our lives are very full. Plus we get lots of summer weekend visits from the grandkids! Win, win!

[Bridget Staunton]

It’s really tough having 2 homes. Responding to false alarms up north & work that had to be done when we got there was really too much for me

[ElDiabloJoe]

Tustin714, We are from OC also. Brea and DP. Moved away 4 years ago. The only regret: good Mexican restaurants. I mean really good, like South of Nick’s, Javier’s, or even Avila’s El Ranchito. Been to Taqueria de Anda in Santa Ana? Excellent! I was w 18, if that means anything to you. My wife spent her entire life in LA/OC. Also zero regrets. Hope this helps.

[oldtimes]

We love our snowbird neighbors. We bid them farewell when they leave and welcome them back. They are an integral part of our neighborhood and when they are here we include them in everything.

[yporter]

We're working towards the "big move" but my wife (who's lived where we are her entire 60+ years and has her mother here) wants to consider doing a split between here and TV.

For those who live here year-round, do you actually make strong friendships with people who aren't around for a good part of the year? And for for snowbirds, how has your experience been trying to make friendships?

Thanks.

We spent 4 years renting in different areas to see what location we liked best, and where was most convenient for the activities we like to do. We made friends during those years, but it was mostly friendly acquaintances - pleasant, someone to pass the time with, but not true friends. We would pick up the friendship when we returned, but did not keep in close touch while gone. Some of these folks were full timers here and some were fellow snowbirds.

We finally bought 2 years ago, and since I have an elderly father and am an only child we split our time north and south. Our experience is that some of those friendships matured into folks who I would consider real friends, and we continue to meet and make connections with people. We do own both homes outright, so the cost of maintaining two homes isn't as high as I thought it would be so. The ability to travel from home to home is significantly better than renting - less packing, less stress. If you haven't tried renting, you might want to do that for a season or two, trying different areas. TV is growing large enough that it will get difficult to easily travel to all of it for events/activities, so where you settle will matter on making friends and go to places/activities. Our neighbors are friendly but our closest friends we've made from activities, since we spend more time out and about than in the house/neighborhood.

We can see a day where we sell our house up north, but until we spend a summer or two here we aren't sure if we will stay year round or become 'reverse snowbirds', spending June-August somewhere cooler, whether that is renting a place or just taking a lot of summer trips.

[ahrens fox]

We're working towards the "big move" but my wife (who's lived where we are her entire 60+ years and has her mother here) wants to consider doing a split between here and TV.

For those who live here year-round, do you actually make strong friendships with people who aren't around for a good part of the year? And for for snowbirds, how has your experience been trying to make friendships?

Thanks.

Seasonal residents return with interesting stories and adventures. They bring a different perspective to our social gatherings. Besides, their economic contribution during the on season enables full time residents to enjoy great amenity accessibility in the off season.

[MidWestIA]

I think it has to do with what you do and probably doesn't happen much if you don't do much

[lpkruege1]

We're working towards the "big move" but my wife (who's lived where we are her entire 60+ years and has her mother here) wants to consider doing a split between here and TV.

For those who live here year-round, do you actually make strong friendships with people who aren't around for a good part of the year? And for for snowbirds, how has your experience been trying to make friendships?

Thanks.
A good friend of mine, a snowbird, brought mom along to save her from the winters. They spend half the year here, with additional trips here in the summer. During the Northern summer she lives at her home, and them at theirs. She loves the time together yet has the independence too. They love the arrangement. They don't have to worry about her slipping on the ice, they spend quality time with her, yet enough time alone. (My question is how well do the two of you get along with MOM?)

As far as friends, I have great friends in both places and keep in touch with them no matter where I am.

[Conniehar]

Been here 2 years - We found a great group of friends here - more than we could ever have imagined or hoped for. Two of the couples leave for the summer. We miss them but they come right back into the fold upon their return. We left last summer and decided we would never do it again. Much more fun here! We barely have any free time in The Villages! Love it here!

[merrymini]

If you are speaking about a villa, they seem to have a higher rental occupancy, so may be more difficult in the neighbor arena because of increased transience. Otherwise you make many friends with neighbors and, especially with people with whom you share activities. I found that we just spent more and more time here and eventually make the move to full time. Elderly parents change everything, however. I lived in NJ and the cost of maintaining a home there was exorbitant for the small amount of time there even though I had no mortgage.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

[QUOTE=Tustin714;2207322]We're working towards the "big move" but my wife (who's lived where we are her entire 60+ years and has her mother here) wants to consider doing a split between here and TV.

For those who live here year-round, do you actually make strong friendships with people who aren't around for a good part of the year? And for for snowbirds, how has your experience been trying to make friendships?


Thanks.[/QUOTE

It is just MY opinion, and we all know what an opinion is worth :oops: l think you are expecting an awful lot from her. To have lived a 60+ life in one area, add to that leaving her Mother, very difficult. You could end up with a house of cards that just collapses altogether. If you can afford it, do six and six and see how that works. From my perspective, there is no friendship which could replace the love and connection I have with my Sister, or for that matter, my children. So very well said and so true , much of my life was outside USA but when I retired I was able to split my time for the last 10 years of my mom and dads life , now my sister is gone and many of my old friends, but my connections to Boston the city is like an old friend and I’ll never give it up , I’ve loved Florida but I’ll be turning 85 in December and.the plan was always to go back to my old friend soon after ,, if you can split the year please do you won’t regret the time that’s shared with your family

[DonnaSt]

We're working towards the "big move" but my wife (who's lived where we are her entire 60+ years and has her mother here) wants to consider doing a split between here and TV.

For those who live here year-round, do you actually make strong friendships with people who aren't around for a good part of the year? And for for snowbirds, how has your experience been trying to make friendships?

Thanks.
We went to the Villages for our first time this year. Fell in love with it along with many people.! I developed relationships quickly and I know they will be long term.!! We will keep in touch over the year until we get back next year and will pick up like I never left! If you get involved in classes, groups etc, you will find your pack! Enjoy!!

[OhioBuckeye]

Well we lived there but moved for family reasons. Once you move to TV you won’t ever have to go anywhere else, TV has everything you want to do, but if you don’t mind paying for amenities you’ll love it there, but if your a couch potato, amenities will be a extra expense. So find a hobby there. I loved it & miss TV!

[manaboutown]

Tustin714, We are from OC also. Brea and DP. Moved away 4 years ago. The only regret: good Mexican restaurants. I mean really good, like South of Nick’s, Javier’s, or even Avila’s El Ranchito. Been to Taqueria de Anda in Santa Ana? Excellent! I was w 18, if that means anything to you. My wife spent her entire life in LA/OC. Also zero regrets. Hope this helps.

I miss Acapulco, Taco Mesa and Wahoo's - Wing and Mingo are great guys!

Over the years I have resided in several communities and maintain a few long term friendships in each. As I still have a business in NM, where I grew up, I get over there every couple months and spend time with friends from childhood and other friends I made there over the years as well as devour New Mexican food (red or green?). Maintaining friendships is important to me. One can make new friends but one cannot make new old friends.

[Tustin714]

OP here, and thanks for everyone taking the time to share their experiences -- it's very helpful heartening. And as for Mexican food, I was already aware of the loss but BBQ can make up for it sometimes (Oakwood Smokehouse was really good!).

[RICH1]

I love going “ Up North” in the Summer. Visiting Michigan & the Rust Belt States can be so beautiful. Enjoying the fresh Ethnic foods up there, rather than eating at Chain restaurants can tickle the taste buds…a nice dip in a lake without looking for alligators can be exhilarating . I’m not ready to give up just yet & leave my Empire to beneficiaries. See Family and spend it! You are not going to live as long as you think you are

[NewRealms]

Of course we make lasting friendships with snowbirds. The problem is you guys will never know The Villages in the off season, only the hubbub of a crowded winter season.

[Pat#79Luv]

Hi, we go back and forth between Minnesota and The Villages because of family up north. We have a ton of friends here that don’t want us to leave in the spring and look forward to our return in the fall. Don’t worry about being a snowbird at all, if that is what you choose to do. Your friends that you make here will be here waiting for your return to the sunshine state when you are ready to come back.

[toeser]

We're working towards the "big move" but my wife (who's lived where we are her entire 60+ years and has her mother here) wants to consider doing a split between here and TV.

For those who live here year-round, do you actually make strong friendships with people who aren't around for a good part of the year? And for for snowbirds, how has your experience been trying to make friendships?

Thanks.


We do 7 months here and 5 months north. We have lots of friends who are snowbirds and lots of friends who are year 'round. Except for the people who post nasty things about snowbirds on Talk of The Villages, we have not experienced any attitude.

[Lburnettinil]

When you are lucky enough to have great neighbors and friends in your area, they will appreciate you whether you are here part time or full time. We love our neighbors and have made many friends here….ALL of us come and go for various reasons (vacations, family time, or weather related). Always great to see friends and neighbors when back together!

[La lamy]

I have found my friendships with full timers are solid, even with months apart. Makes for fun catching up conversation on one's return.

[jimjamuser]

We're working towards the "big move" but my wife (who's lived where we are her entire 60+ years and has her mother here) wants to consider doing a split between here and TV.

For those who live here year-round, do you actually make strong friendships with people who aren't around for a good part of the year? And for for snowbirds, how has your experience been trying to make friendships?

Thanks.
I always try my best to AVOID friendships.

[jimjamuser]

We are part timers, and although it’s a good problem to have, we have more people that want to do stuff with us than we have free time.
The truth is that in TV Land there are so many activities and sports that there is barely time to make friends, just a cornucopia of acquaintances. True friends take 10 years or more to make.

[jimjamuser]

We're working towards the "big move" but my wife (who's lived where we are her entire 60+ years and has her mother here) wants to consider doing a split between here and TV.

For those who live here year-round, do you actually make strong friendships with people who aren't around for a good part of the year? And for for snowbirds, how has your experience been trying to make friendships?

Thanks.
It is normally the wife that is reluctant to FULLY commit to a move to the south. Anthropologically speaking, the woman is less adventurous and tends the campfire, the children, and keeps the tribe together in one spot.

[jimjamuser]

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Kind of fun when our neighbors at both ends throw welcome back parties for us.

Also if you are from the north and have no experience with Florida summer heat and humidity you need to do some time here in summer before making the decision to sell up north.

Another experience (maybe unique to myself) is I do not want to stay in anybody's house but my own - alone. If you have family up north especially an elderly parent you most likely will be spending some extended stays. Consider that before selling house #1.

On the flip side does it cost more to own two homes - yes - a bucket load more. If you can't afford it it will be a nightmare.
To put it eloquently, "Florida summers suck"

[jimjamuser]

We do 7 months here and 5 months north. We have lots of friends who are snowbirds and lots of friends who are year 'round. Except for the people who post nasty things about snowbirds on Talk of The Villages, we have not experienced any attitude.
Snowbirds are wonderful, especially the ones that own electric cars and golf carts.

[Tustin714]

Of course we make lasting friendships with snowbirds. The problem is you guys will never know The Villages in the off season, only the hubbub of a crowded winter season.
We've actually discussed one possibility of doing 3 month stints -- fall (Sept.-Nov.) and spring (starting in March or April) in TV, and the other months back here. It does make us wonder about friendships, with so much interruption.

[Cookiebaby642]

I was brought here kicking and screaming 11 years ago. I am still not sure I want to stay!

[PersonOfInterest]

Why does one want to live in 2 places? If you have strong attachments to family, friends and other aspects of where you live now then why do you want to leave it? I believe that for most people only 1 place can be 'Home'. Which is Home to you and what is the other place?

All of my friends in TV are full time residents as am I.

[beckylou152]

We're working towards the "big move" but my wife (who's lived where we are her entire 60+ years and has her mother here) wants to consider doing a split between here and TV.

For those who live here year-round, do you actually make strong friendships with people who aren't around for a good part of the year? And for for snowbirds, how has your experience been trying to make friendships?

Thanks.

I am just like your wife! I have my mom, and a couple grandkids up north. We kept a small cottage up north and go back in the summer. This is our third summer doing this. I just got back up north, and seeing the beautiful blooming trees, green grass, lush landscapes, rolling hills makes me happy. Plus all the family. I love both places. For friends down in TV, I keep in touch via texting and we come back in the summer for a couple weeks. We have no problem re-engaging. People are so very friendly. We also visited one couple up north that also is a snowbird. We have lots of groups (golf, etc) so easy to reconnect. I do wish I had a condo up north so I could be more of a snowflake but this works out ok. I think you’ll find you can make and keep friends!

[rustyp]

Why does one want to live in 2 places? If you have strong attachments to family, friends and other aspects of where you live now then why do you want to leave it? I believe that for most people only 1 place can be 'Home'. Which is Home to you and what is the other place?

All of my friends in TV are full time residents as am I.

Variety is the spice of life.

[JMintzer]

Snowbirds are wonderful, especially the ones that own electric cars and golf carts.

Too bad there are Frogs that don't own EVs, right?

[JMintzer]

Why does one want to live in 2 places? If you have strong attachments to family, friends and other aspects of where you live now then why do you want to leave it? I believe that for most people only 1 place can be 'Home'. Which is Home to you and what is the other place?

All of my friends in TV are full time residents as am I.

So you are no longer friends with the people you left just a few short years ago?

[I'm Popeye!]

We are part timers, and although it’s a good problem to have, we have more people that want to do stuff with us than we have free time.

Oh really, you must be something special! :rolleyes:
Are you the one that buys the food and drinks? :1rotfl:

[meme5x]

I spend 4 months in a courtyard villa that we own. We had a house and sold it to downsize as my husband doesn’t spend much time in TV…the villa community isn’t as friendly as the village we left. Have had a hard time alone trying to make friends.. do go to rec centers but people seem to be cliquish.. just my opinion

[Velvet]

I think it has to do with what you do and probably doesn't happen much if you don't do much

My pack picked me. I knew my neighbors were friendly until I got into real difficulty last year, then they became my extended family. They taught me their hobbies and shared their interests and made sure that I could enjoy their and their doggies’ company regularly. And, yes I live in two places. Perhaps not every street is like that in TV - but I am very grateful for mine.

[JMintzer]

Oh really, you must be something special! :rolleyes:
Are you the one that buys the food and drinks? :1rotfl:

Maybe they're just friendly people...

More people should try it...

[I'm Popeye!]

Maybe they're just friendly people...

More people should try it...

So tell us, when are you buying so I can be there? :1rotfl:

[JMintzer]

So tell us, when are you buying so I can be there? :1rotfl:

Do you have a time machine? I bought over 2 years ago...

[I'm Popeye!]

Do you have a time machine? I bought over 2 years ago...

:eek: So you have been buying friends for over two years. :beer3:

:jester:

[tophcfa]

Do you have a time machine? I bought over 2 years ago...

:eek: So you have been buying friends for over two years. :beer3:

:jester:

Dam Doc, Olive Oil must have feed him some bad spinach?

[Two Bills]

Dam Doc, Olive Oil must have feed him some bad spinach?

I think the bloke drinks Cider Vinegar straight, and sucks lemons all day!

[carioca]

We're working towards the "big move" but my wife (who's lived where we are her entire 60+ years and has her mother here) wants to consider doing a split between here and TV.

For those who live here year-round, do you actually make strong friendships with people who aren't around for a good part of the year? And for for snowbirds, how has your experience been trying to make friendships?

Thanks.

I find that things vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. Mine is not very social, but I have friends in another village where they are extremely social, both full timers and snow birds alike. In both instances, snowbirds are always welcomed back with open arms.

[JMintzer]

:eek: So you have been buying friends for over two years. :beer3:

:jester:

Absolutely! Some (I won't mention whom) are a cheap buy...

[JMintzer]

Dam Doc, Olive Oil must have feed him some bad spinach?

I "think" he's opining that one has to "buy" someone drinks in order to gain their friendship...

Maybe that's the way he obtains friends, but I fond it's more genuine to just be friendly... That and don't cheat at golf...

[I'm Popeye!]

Dam Doc, Olive Oil must have feed him some bad spinach?

JMintzer, where is your Spacasm picture now? :shrug:


Oh, Wait, here it is........ :22yikes:

[JMintzer]

JMintzer, where is your Spacasm picture now? :shrug:


Oh, Wait, here it is........ :22yikes:

https://media.tenor.com/CL27COOYAEcAAAAC/baking-powder-exsqueeze-me.gif